Technology Popularized

Solar Tunnel Drier

In the beginning the farmers dried the rosemary leaves in the open sunlight which is prone to contamination and the quality was deteriorated by the natural calamities. Keeping these constraints in mind, MKVK approached bio-energy Department of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) for solar tunnel drier for trial based use. It was successful and leaves could be dried in 8-10 hours which is far lesser than the open sun drying. Apart from that it ensures the quality of the product.

Turmeric Boiler

Though turmeric is one of the major crop in Erode district, labour scarcity for boiling turmeric is the crucial situation. Kendra demonstrated Turmeric boiler to reduce the labour scarcity and gender friendly technology. The inside containers which hold turmeric can easily be taken out without wasting boiling water, which can be re-used and thereby water and fuel requirement can be saved considerably. The advantages of the technologies are (i) Enhanced boiling and quality improvement in colour (ii) Reduces drying time and drudgery on women.

Paddy parboiling Drum

The farmers in Kallipatti area of T.N.Palayam block of Erode District area cultivating Paddy in large scale. The farm families face problem of boiling paddy for lesser quantity. MKVK demonstrated paddy Parboiling drum at household level. In this technology, the water can be heated by burning fire wood or agricultural waste. After the completion of first boiling, the remaining water can be used for next boiling. Advantages of the technology are: (i) Uniform parboiling and increased head rice recovery up to 95% (ii) Takes 45 minutes for parboiling for the first time of soaked paddy and 25 minutes for the subsequent boiling.

Tellicherry Goat

Goat rearing is a major occupation of landless and resource poor farmers in TN Palayam block of Erode district. To improve the economic status of this community, Kendra demonstrated to upgrade the local goat with Tellicherry breed with the objective of increasing the body weight. The successful implementation of this technology, the local goat body weight was increased up to 8 – 10 kg.

Green House Vegetable Production – Capsicum

Erode district has a potential area and conducive climate for vegetable cultivation, majority of the vegetable crops are cultivated as an intercrop till 2005. Potential market value and awareness on cultivation of vegetable crops has triggered interest in cultivating vegetables as a major crop among the farmers. The farmers also realized the importance of collective/co-operative farming rather than individual farming and they have formed a group called “Sangamam Hi-tech Horticulture Cultivation” and 15 members enrolled in this group. To impart the green house vegetable production technology, Kendra organized training cum exposure at IIHR, Bangalore. With the continuation of this programme, all the group members established poly house unit with the size of 1500 Sq.mt. which cost Rs.7 lakh. per unit under National Sponsored programme NHM.

Banana Bunch Cover

Erode is a major horticulture belt in the state. Banana is the main horticultural crop cultivated in 5300 ha. which includes Poovan, Red banana, Kadali, Nendran and Robusta varieties. Even though, farmers who have been adopted for many techniques for cultivation which fetches good yield. But it resulted in poor market value. The reason for the low price was that the desired quality of fruit was not up to the mark. In order to solve the problem, Kendra conducted the demonstration on bunch cover techniques which resulted;(i)Uniform ripening and shinning of fruits (ii) Increase the shelf life (iii)Increase yield by 5-25% (iv) Increase the market value up to 15 to 20 Rs. per bunch.

Banana Pseudo Stem Trap

Banana is one of the major crops of Erode district grown in nearly 5300 ha of land wherein pseudo stem weevil is a specific insect, wide spread in banana growing region causing major havock to the crop. The badly affected plants break of easily during heavy wind and cause yield loss to the farmers. Kendra has taken up 80 demonstrations of the same and this has resulted in 80% reduction in pest damage. 40 stem traps with the cut end smeared with Beaveria bassiana have to be placed in an acre in order to attract and mass trap of pseudo stem weevil.

Castor Fermented Solution

It is an insect attractant, which is used to manage white grubs by attracting and mass trapping the adult beetles towards their sources. White grubs are considered as a major pest in groundnut, sugarcane, cotton, rosemary and vegetable. Large scale demonstrations (300 acres) were taken up on usage of these traps in cotton and groundnut. Attractants form good tool of IPM, since they do not disrupt the eco-system or food chain.

Re-cycling of human faeces (Ecosan) for field application

A field experiment was conducted on “Recycling process of human waste (through eco-sanitation concepts) to enhance productivity in maize” in Talavadi hills of Erode district. Ecosan compost was applied to the maize crop, it improved the growth parameters (Cob length, Cob girth, Stem girth) though it showed diminishing effect on plant height. Thus, Ecosan compost can be utilized as an organic manure to improve the crop productivity and to maintain its quality. Further, being eco friendly; improve soil health by positive effect on physical properties, chemical characteristics and biological attributes of soil. Soil- Water- Plant relationship will have harmonious effects on the environment and ecology of the region there’s assisting in tiding over the adverse impact of climate change.

Banana Special

Banana special is crop specific micronutrient formulation technology through foliar application exclusive for higher yield in banana crop up to 20%. It is released from IIHR, Bangalore and purchased the formulation Technology by KVK in the year 2010. Mix 50 grams of Banana special along with one lemon juice and 1 shampoo pocket in 10 liters of water are added and mix thoroughly before spraying. Drenching of solution 250ml /plant after of 15 days of plantation incase of tissue culture plants. For suckers, drench after 45 days of suckers plantation. Start from 4 months of plantation once in 30 days continues up to 8 months. Last two sprays done both on bunch and leaves 30 days and 60 days after bunch emergence. Spray should be done preferably 6am to 11am and 4pm to 6.30pm and spray should be done mainly 60-70%on lower surface and 30% on upper surface. One kg. (1spray) is enough for an acre.

Vegetable Special

Vegetable special is crop specific micronutrient foliar spray exclusive for both higher yield and quality in vegetable crops. It is released from IIHR, Bangalore and purchased the formulation Technology by KVK in the year 2012. 3 sprays are required, 1st spray is in 25-30 days after transplantation or sowing, 2nd spray is 40or 50 days and subsequent spray 20 days intervals. Tomato, cabbage, Cauliflower, capsicum 50grams in 10 liters of water, Chillies, Egg plant, Onion, ginger, Carrot, Potato, French beans, Ladys finger, cow pea, Vegetable cow pea, Peas, Lab lab, and Garlic 30 grams in 10 liters water, Cucurbits crop (Watermelon, Ribbed gourd, Snake gourd, Bottle gourd, Pumpkin, Ash gourd, Cucumber, Musk melon, Bitter gourd) 10 grams in 10 liter of water. Mixing of Vegetable special along with one lemon juice and 1 shampoo pocket in 10 liters of water and mix thoroughly before spraying.

Mango Special

Mango special is crop specific micronutrient foliar spray exclusive for both higher yield and quality in Mango crop. It is released from IIHR, Bangalore. 4 sprays are required, 1st spray is in June – July (during manure time), 2nd time in October – November (During flowering time), 3rd time in February – March (fruits are pea nut size), 4th time in one month before harvesting 10 grams in 10 liter of water. Mixing of Mango special along with one lemon juice and 1 shampoo pocket in 10 liters of water and mix thoroughly before spraying. Mix 50 grams of Banana special along with one lemon juice and 1 shampoo pocket in 10 liters of water are added and mix thoroughly before spraying.